1 x 12 that sounds similar to Z 2 x 10?

[anton]

A while back I stupidly sold a CG head and Z 2x10 cab. It was one of the older, smaller rectangular cabs, with the stock Z 10" speakers. I really liked how those speakers sounded, warm and full. Now I am kicking myself for selling that setup and starting to look around for another CG. I was thinking a combo with a 12" speaker. Having never played a CG 1x12 combo I was excited when I saw the local Guitar Center had one used and went over to play it with my Baja tele. It had the Vintage 30 speaker, and man that thing was much brighter then I remember my 2x10 being. To bright for my taste. Is there a 12" speaker that comes closer to the warm sound of the Z 2x10's?

thanks

Anton

[John]

A V30 isn't know for being overly bright....but they are known for an upper mid spike in tone. It's very dominant. Some like it, some don't. Also, if the speaker hasn't been broken in properly (or long enough) it will lack bass...and that can make the tone sound bright or at least 'nasal'. And the Ghia may not have enough power to break in a V30. It could take a long time. So that might be part of it.

I like greenback speakers in most situations.

But here's a clone of the Celestion G12-65. Warehouse Guitar speaker ET-65. (I mention the clone because it's a LOT less money) It has a big dust cap, and that limits the crispy high end.

wgsusa.com/et65

Warehouse guitar speakers also makes a nice greenback clone too...at a much cheaper price than Celestion.

[ss "Shane"]

I have to agree with John in this case. I believe speakers can’t be rightfully judged when new. If I owned a music shop I’d have a couple of demo cabs with broken in speakers to test drive amp heads.

I’ve tried my CG with my broke in Vin 30 and overly bright is not how I’d describe that speaker. The 30 wasn’t my favorite but it’s not due to being bright.

Currently I’m breaking in a new Gold but I think that a Creamback 65 will make you happy. It’s really smooth and for me, was super easy to break in. The 65 isn’t near as costly as the Gold so you don’t have much to lose in the money department. Personally I think you should go back to the same CG set up you fell in love with in the first place.

[anton]

Thanks for the input. With regards to the Vintage 30, yea there was some upper mid freq that did not sit well with my ears.

I have definitely thought just to get a 2x10 CG combo, since i liked that sound. I was also thinking I want something that is not quite so loud, which I was thinking a 12" Greenback might get me. I suppose an attenuator is also necessary. I am going to try and find some other Ghia combo's to try out.

[John]

May 1, 2018 13:12:49 GMT -7 anton said:

 I was also thinking I want something that is not quite so loud, which I was thinking a 12" Greenback might get me.

This sounds like a great idea.  The V30 is 100db...that's a pretty loud speaker.  The greenback is 98db.  A 2db reduction enough to make a difference.

And it could also seem less loud as that upper mid honk of the V30 won't be nagging at you. 

That upper mid spike of the V30 can sound great with a band...it really cuts through the mix.  But at home alone...not so much.

[eggman]

Howdy,

For me, Weber's 30 watt AlNiCo silver bell edges the Celestion blue by a nose. The Ghia benefits from the Silver Bell's extra bottom end. Outstanding clean tones, but somewhat less complex for slightly broken up chords. One can't go wrong with either speaker, but Tele and Strat men would be well advised to consider the Weber.

[digs57]

Speaking of z 10's...I just replaced mine in my 110 combo with a warehouse guitar speaker g10c...to get that extra bit of headroom and im really taking to this thing... has at most 8hrs on it so far and it will need a little more but its got big notes coming out of that lil cabinet...its there ragin cagin equivalent...

All in all I can crank the thing and its going to stay a little cleaner...jam sunday was at around two on vol...with a turn of guitar vol were into the breakup territory for solos...

don't think that a 12 is ever going to sound like 2/10's...seems like a lot of speaker jockeying.